Early Assessment of Risk for Low Birth Weight Using Simple Scoring Tool among Mothers from Rural India - Abstract
Background: Identification of mothers at risk, early in gestation is essential In India as both maternal undernutrition and prevalence low birth weight (LBW) is high.Therefore, simple screening tool based on non-invasive early markers of risk for LBW at registration was attempted.
Method: Mothers registering for antenatal care (ANC), within 20 weeks of gestation at a rural hospital in Maharashtra, India were studied (n=370), for socioeconomic,
demographic variables, dietary consumption pattern and anthropometric measurements and were followed up till delivery.
Result: Mothers were thin (weight 46.0 ± 7.4 kg), and short (height150.8 ± 6.1 cm) and undernourished (BMI<18kg/m2). 9.8 % of mothers were below 38 kg while 8.6 % of mothers were below 145 cmwhich are known risk cut offs for LBW. Among the pre-pregnant factors, significant risk (OR=2.2; CI: 1.1-4.3), for LBW was seen for maternal age (<20 yr); previous abortion (OR=3.0;CI:1.7-5.3), and for low (<42.5 Kg), maternal weight (OR=2.1;CI:1.2-3.6). Among intra pregnancy variables risk was seen for lower consumption (<2/d) of staple food roti (OR=1.7; CI: 1.0-2.9), and no consumption of milk (OR=1.8; CI:1.0-3.1). Receiver Operating Curve (ROC), analysis was used to obtain risk cut off for total score based on five maternal variables, all of which can be recorded at registration by a health worker lowest in hierarchy. This score showed 76% sensitivity in identifying LBW mothers. Risk of LBW was high (OR=3.0, CI: 1.4-6.3) in mothers with score 9 to 12 and was higher (OR=4.4,CI: 1.9-9.8), for score >12.
Conclusion: Early identification of high risk mothers will help providing them intervention during gestation.